Going Green

Last weekend in Oklahoma, my friend Cristin introduced me to the green smoothie.  Yep.  Green. It's green because of all the vegetables you put in it.  She put kale and spinach in hers, along with lots of fruit. 
 
It didn't sound good to me either.  Vegetables and fruits together in a morning shake.  Yuck.  Right?

I was scared.  But, I was very eager to try it.  I thought maybe it would be a new way to get more fruits and vegetables into my diet.  Plus, my morning shakes have really gotten boring and don't seem to fill me like they once did.

So, I tried it.  And, you know what? It wasn't bad.  It also filled me up more than my normal shakes.  And, I've had them everyday this week.

Green smoothies are suppose to be very good for you.  They are nutritious, give you more energy, eliminate toxins, improve your skin, etc.

Anyway, there seem to be lots of benefits to going green.  Let's see if a reduction on the scale is one of them.

Out of Hibernation

I've really been hibernating some these past couple of months when it comes to my exercise routine  - working out mostly at home on the bike, rarely hitting the gym or classes. And, I decided that after Easter I was really going to come out of hibernation.  Tuesday I did my first real spin class.  I have done spin before as part of some personal training, smaller bouts and intense but never an entire class.  Then yesterday I did step class again.  I just needed to beef up my exercise routine, intensify it.

In addition, I've added dance rehearsals to my my day to prepare for next week's event.  So, I am getting more exercise in.  Since Monday, I've burned 1850 calories... burning at least 600 a day.  Meaning -- I'm out of hibernation.  Hope I can keep it up!

A 30 Second Celebration

Next weekend is the local Dancing with the Stars event.  I've had one rehearsal, two weeks ago.  Not really enough practice to make me look like the Star Dancer I'm suppose to be.  Plus, I still haven't been certain about my dress.

I found a great black cocktail dress in Minneapolis but it was still going to need a little work... a little bling.  Between meetings today I stopped in Dillards and checked the racks.  I saw the one I have wanted all along.  I can't believe I went all over Minneapolis in search of it and it was right here in front of me the whole time.

The dress was definitely more than I wanted to spend for a 30 second dance.  But, I took a minute and thought about it. 

I won.  Yes, I won the event last year.  I was the audience favorite.  And, that was before I lost all the weight.  I did it being heavy.  And, here I am one year later and so much smaller.  I really wanted to celebrate all of this... even if just for 30 seconds in front of everyone. 





With my dance partner from last year, who has final approval of

my dress.

 



Missing Appetizers

When I was in the Core Fat Classes (at the beginning of this journey), we were always greeted with taste tests of shakes or entrees as you entered class each week.  I use to think of those as appetizers since I always went home and ate dinner as soon as I finished class.  
We don't get the appetizers in maintenance, and I (surprisingly) miss those appetizers.  Each week I feel like something is missing and tonight I realized it's those appetizers.  Funny, coz I never really cared for them while in Core.  Ha... Isn't that typical?

By the way, I'm celebrating another loss on the scale.  I have had several weeks of travel, which means lots of challenges.  So, I'm thrilled to see the scale down!

Beaver Bend

We decided to get away for the weekend with some friends from Texas.  We all met up in Oklahoma at a cabin in Beaver Bend/Broken Bow.   It was about a 7 hour drive on our end, so not too bad for a real get away.

It was gorgeous. 

I can easily say I've never been one to dream about going to Oklahoma.  In fact, I've never been in or through the state.  And, if it weren't for our friends who suggested it, I probably would never have gone.  But, we really wanted to just do something with them.

What I really liked was that we were somewhere with the kids that would allow us to be active.  We could hike, canoe, paddle boat, etc.  There was a lot of opportunity for movement.  We could do stuff.  And, we were able to escape the normal stresses of life and the "looming" holiday.  :)

Discovering the Excellence

We spent 7 hours in a car today (not great opportunity for exercise) traveling to Oklahoma for Easter weekend.  I've never been to Oklahoma, know very little about the state or what it has to offer.  But, I'm up for the adventure and am looking forward to discovering the excellence they speak of on their welcome sign!

Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail

It seems like every class we talk about the looming challenge ahead.  There is always a holiday.  Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Mardi Gras, Easter, Mothers Day.... etc.  And, we spend much of the class dedicated to this imminent confrontation with evil food.

It gets old.  Living every week of class with curriculum wrapped around such silliness.  Holidays are challenging, sure.  But, they don't always trigger some episode that will make me stop everything I've been doing and pig out.  Maybe they do for others... ok, I get that.  But, it really does get old.  And, I've actually lost weight ever week we've had a major holiday.  I'm hoping for the same success this week when that little furry rabbit reappears!